A stray San Francisco 49ers beanie rested on a stack of papers inside the front door of The Patio at Rudy’s on Emerson Street in Palo Alto on Monday. The owner must have misplaced it celebrating Sunday’s NFC Championship game, a 28-24 triumph by San Francisco over Atlanta.

The Patio bartender Summer McGrath was busy on Sunday handling a capacity crowd that arrived early in order to get the best seats to watch one of the 23 televisions in the establishment. McGrath wore a replica jersey of San Francisco star linebacker Patrick Willis, who wears No. 52 on the field.

“We were just one big 49er family,” McGrath said. “I’m the biggest sports fan ever, so I was pumped and ready. Every table was filled. There is something about the energy when all the fans come together. There were no fights, no problems. There was good sportsmanship with the few Atlanta fans.”

When the 49ers got behind 17-0 in the beginning of the second quarter, McGrath said the majority of Niner fans didn’t give up hope.

“There were some moments of silence,” McGrath said. “Coming back made it a great game.”

Old Pro, the biggest sports bar in Palo Alto, was overflowing with football fanatics for both conference championship games. Old Pro owner Steve Sinchek was in Hawaii vacationing, however, he heard his place was jumping.

“I haven’t seen the numbers, but we probably grossed $15,000 to $18,000,” Sinchek said. “It’s exciting. I was born in Cincinnati, but I’ve been a 49ers fan since 1982.”

Sinchek will be back to town on Wednesday, then he’ll start preparing for Super Bowl Sunday on Feb. 3.

Isaac Lents, a Paly grad of 2011, is an assistant manager at Workshop Burgers in Palo Alto. On Sunday, Lents was working at the Workshop Burgers restaurant in Mountain View.

“People in Mountain View were interested in the 49ers game, but it wasn’t a big crowd like we had in Palo Alto,” Lents said. “There is always much more cheering in Palo Alto.”

George Heapes, a Menlo Park resident for the past 31 years, entertained a few friends, who cheered on the 49ers to a dramatic victory. Heapes, a Carlmont-Belmont alum of 1966, barbecued ribs for the occasion.

“When we got behind 17-0, I thought it was good luck because we got behind 7-0 against Green Bay,” said Heapes, who wore a No. 7 replica jersey of 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick underneath a San Francisco 49ers jacket during the game. “The No. 7 was a lucky number.”

The 49ers rallied and are off to the Super Bowl for the first time since 1995.

“It has been 18 years,” Heapes said. “This is a new group of players with a new generation of 49er fans. It will be a festive event.”

Sharelle Mayer, age 70, is under assisted living care at Canyon House in Menlo Park. Mayer has been a San Francisco 49er fan since 1945. Mayer resided in Atherton for 52 years before moving to Canyon House.

“I’ve been a fan since I was 3-years-old,” Mayer said. “I grew up in a football family. We watched the 49er games on television, unless my dad would get tickets from his office.”

Mayer thought the 49ers were goners once the Falcons got up by 17 points.

“I thought, oh, my goodness, the luck has run out,” Mayer said. “Colin Kaepernick didn’t look as awesome as he did against the Green Bay Packers.”

Mayer was one of six residents watching the game, along with Kalani Teo, a caregiver for Canyon House.

“We were all on the edge our seats watching the game,” Mayer said. “Kalani knew they would come back.”

“I had to have faith in my team,” said Teo, a Woodside alum of 2003. “Nothing is impossible. Atlanta came out strong. They were at home. You have to expect it.”

Teo has always been on board with 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh’s inserting Kaepernick as quarterback in place of Alex Smith, virtually halfway through the season.

“If it makes the team win, that’s good,” Teo said. “I felt sorry for Alex Smith. Kaepernick is the man.”

Before the season started, Teo attended a 49er FanFest at Candlestick Park. He brought a new football that was signed by the 49er players.

“From the Super Bowl in 1989, I have always been a fan,” Teo said. “I’ve been a diehard from then on out.”

San Francisco was dubbed the team of the ’80s after four 49er teams during that decade won Super Bowls. They added another NFL title in 1995.

“We’re used to being winners,” Mayer said. “I’m so happy the 49ers made it.”

“I have 49er pride,” a glowing McGrath said on Monday. “We’re adding more tables for the Super Bowl.”

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